Honoree was nationally recognized intercollegiate athletics leader
McHenry, MD – Ann Wellham has always welcomed challenges.
“That’s the kind of thing that kept me going,” said Wellham, reflecting on a 33-year career at Garrett College that included teaching, coaching, and a variety of administrative roles. “I was always looking for challenges to keep me motivated.”
Her success in meeting those challenges has led the Garrett College Board of Trustees to unanimously honor Wellham with the status of dean emerita. Wellham – who is being recognized with emeriti status this year along with former professors Ron Skidmore, the late Dr. Terry Kasecamp, and the late Dr. Michael Logsdon – becomes just the 15th person awarded this honor at Garrett College.
Wellham became nationally recognized through her service as the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 20 director, assistant director and treasurer. She was selected as the 2004 Administrator of the Year for the NJCAA National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators.
One of her biggest professional challenges took place in the NJCAA arena back in the 1990s. The host site for the national golf championship backed out a little over two months before the scheduled tournament.
“I said we had a great golf course at the Wisp Resort near Deep Creek Lake,” recalled Wellham. “Usually it takes six months to set up a national tournament. We agreed in February to do it and we ran it in April. It was awesome – the kids loved it here.”
“I got to know Ann when I was a vice president at Chesapeake College with responsibility for athletics,” said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president. “She was a very respected and very effective leader on the statewide and national scenes. I’m very happy that we’re recognizing Ann’s incredible impact on Garrett College and our students.”
Wellham received the 2014 Board of Trustees Award for Outstanding Contributions to Garrett College after capping her career with service as both interim dean of academic affairs (2006-08) and dean of marketing and enrollment management (2009-14).
One of Wellham’s signature achievements as interim academic dean was helping to guide the College through a Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation review.
“I was fortunate to have worked with very dedicated faculty and program directors,” said Wellham. “I’m very proud of the collaborative work that took place to develop the outcomes assessment process that helped us successfully complete all academic reaccreditation requirements.”
Wellham said her role as dean of marketing and enrollment management provided “an avenue where I was able to use more of my artistic creative skills.”
“Developing opportunities to give the College exposure through website development, graphically designed materials, and social media expansion was a priority for sharing all of the wonderful opportunities available at Garrett,” recalled Wellham.
During her time at Garrett College, Wellham was instrumental in forming the Students In Need Group (SING). The SING Food Pantry continues to address food insecurity among Garrett College students in addition to annually providing winter coats and school supplies for those students who need them.
The SING Fund, which accepts gifts through the Garrett College Foundation, was renamed the Ann Wellham SING Fund when Wellham retired from the College in 2014.
“I got the most satisfaction out of working with the students,” said Wellham. “I thought they received a great experience here – small class sizes where you’re not just a name, and some very neat things to do that they wouldn’t have gotten at a larger school.”
Wellham holds a bachelor’s degree from Towson University, a master of arts in physical education from Northern Michigan University, and a master of business administration from Frostburg State University. She will officially be honored with emerita status at Garrett College’s annual commencement exercises on May 16th.